~ chapter 8 ~

Max's good mood didn't last long. In fact, it only lasted as long as it took for he and Tess to step into the dining area of the restaurant. Max closed his eyes and groaned. Tess looked around her as her eyes widened. "Wow. This is exactly like that Chinese restaurant back in Roswell. Right down to the pool table in the back…"

"I see that." Max voiced tersely as his eyes darted around him unable to believe this would be their choice of restaurants tonight. Someone must be playing a very cruel joke on him. His eyes shifted to Michael and Maria following the hostess further into the restaurant. A new thought suddenly occurred to him. Could they have…? What was he thinking? Of course they could have. More than that, they would have. Oh, he was going to be having a serious discussion with Michael when this night was all over.

And what about Liz? The Chinese restaurant back in Roswell had been special to them, yet she didn't seem disturbed by the fact they were here in a restaurant that was an almost replica of the one where they'd spent so many evenings talking and laughing and generally being in love. Perhaps it hadn't meant as much to her as it had to him. Who knows? Maybe this place was special to her and Ben now. Maybe Max was the only one that would be suffering through dinner tonight.

Unaware of the thoughts rolling around in Max's mind but seeing the obvious connection this place had with their past, Tess voiced a seemingly innocent question. "Hey. Isn't that where you and Liz…"

"Had our first date." Max finished for her his eyes settling on Liz as she headed toward a table. His voice held a note of sadness. "Yeah. It was our favorite place to eat."

Tess smiled to herself. She had to hand it to Maria. If she wanted to remind Max and Liz what they had once, this was a great way to start. "Well, this should prove interesting since I really hate Chinese food." Tess mumbled as she took Max's hand and headed toward where she saw the other couples gathering.

They joined the others just in time to overhear Ben claiming knowledge of Liz's eating habits. "But why here? Liz doesn’t like Chinese."

"You're kidding, right?" Maria piped up as her eyebrow raised. "I only know about this place *because* of Liz."

Ben turned to Liz with a curious look in his eyes. "Liz? You've always said you didn't like Chinese…"

Liz nervously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as her eyes darted back and forth between her finance' and her best friend. "I occasionally get a taste for Chinese food, Ben. It's no big deal. I think I've only come here once, maybe twice, since I've been in Boston."

Just then an elderly Chinese gentleman came up to the group with a big smile and bowed before Liz. "Ahh, Ms. Liz. So good to see you again. Would you like your usual table?"

Liz's face flushed with guilt and embarrassment. Glancing at Ben and seeing the disbelief and hurt in his eyes she decided there was no longer any point in trying to lie her way out of this one. "Hey, Chen. Um…no. My usual won't be big enough, I don't believe." She stepped aside and swept her hand around the group being careful not to meet Ben or Max's eyes. "We have six tonight instead of just one."

Chen nodded his head with a smile. "Ah, then we will put you at our next best table." He turned and began to lead them forward to a table in the center of the room. When he stopped and turned, his eyes focused on Liz as he nodded toward another room in the back of the restaurant. "When you get moment, you need to see new addition. We put pool table in just as you suggested. Has increased business much."

"*You* suggested the pool table?" Maria asked turning to Liz with a knowing grin.

Liz swallowed hard and began to nod when Chen's face began to beam. "Ms. Liz help lot. She suggest all decorations. We have good business because of her."

"I wouldn't give her too much credit there, Chenie." Tess remarked as she glanced condescendingly around the room. "Lizzie here never was good at keeping her hands off other people's ideas…things…destinies." Tess let the last word drift quietly under her breath but loud enough to be heard. Shrugging her shoulders she waved her hand around the room. "Anyway, there's nothing here that hasn't been used before back home in Roswell. What you see is nothing more than memories…"

Liz squared her shoulders at Tess' acid remark and turned to make a comment when Max stepped between them taking Liz by the elbow. When her large dark eyes turned upward to meet his, Max gave her a half-smile. "The pool table was a great idea, Liz. I'm sure people will make a lot of incredible memories here. Just like back home."

The anger drained from Liz's eyes as she nodded and for a moment, when she was looking in Max's soft brown eyes, everything seemed right again. They were suddenly back there. In the past. In their restaurant. In simple, old-fashioned love.

"Max…" Liz looked around her at the empty restaurant. "…are you sure they're open? I mean, it looks like we're the only ones here."

Max stared silently into her eyes as if he didn't hear her question. Liz chuckled and put her hands on either side of his face to get his attention. Not that she didn't have it already. "Max. Honey. I just asked you a question."

Blinking his eyes when Liz touched him, Max's eyebrow raised and he came out of his dazed trance. "What? You…you did? I'm…I'm sorry. What was the question?"

Forgetting her question, Liz's smile widened when she thought of how adorable he looked when he was slightly flustered. "What were you thinking about?"

Max curled his fingers around Liz's jaw and leaned down touching his forehead to hers. "Just how beautiful you are. And how I'm the luckiest Czechoslovakian in the solar system to have you love me the way you do. You've made all my dreams come true, Liz."

Liz touched her lips to Max's for a gentle kiss before pulling back to whisper. "So have you."

Max shook his head. "No. I don't think so." He ran his hand down her arms and captured her hands in his. "But that's what tonight is all about. Making your dreams come true."

Liz opened her mouth to say something but stopped when they were joined by Kim, their hostess. "Ah, Max. Liz. You're just on time. If you'll follow me, your dinner is already waiting for you…"

Before Liz knew it Max was leading her to the table and holding out her chair for her. She slipped into the seat with a silent smile, her eyes brightening as they swept over him taking in every inch. He looked good tonight. No. More than good. He looked…hot, for lack of a better word. He wore a tight fitting smoky gray sweater that emphasized every muscle in his upper chest and arms. Max had always had an incredible build, but he was even more toned then Liz remembered and it showed. The color of the sweater somehow made his eyes less dark, like a chocolate brown and softer. And his hair fell in the same way over his forehead that Liz had always loved. The years had been kind to Max Evans. Of that one thing, Liz was very sure.

The next moment found Max smiling down at her and sliding into the seat next to her placing his arm on the back of her chair without thought or hesitation. Their eyes locked on each other, they didn't notice the reaction their exchange had created. Michael and Maria traded triumphant smiles when Maria grabbed Michael's hand. Tess' eyebrow raised in interest. Ben tilted his head to the side unable to believe what he was seeing. It was as if the Liz Parker he knew had been abducted by aliens and in her place was a woman he simply didn't recognize.

Stepping up to the table and clearing his throat, Ben leaned down till Max's eyes shifted to his. "Uh…Max. You know, I really appreciate you seating my fiancee', but it wasn't your place. Really…" Ben noted Max's station next to Liz with his eyes. "… that isn't your place at all."

Max blinked a few times before Ben's meaning made it through the Liz-induced haze that flowed around him. Suddenly catching on to what Ben meant, Max felt like kicking himself for being so careless. His eyes flicked to Liz's face, but her emotions were masked from him since she was looking down at the table. From what he could tell, she was just as mortified as he was.

Embarrassed at his thoughtless actions, Max quickly scooted out from his seat, looked down properly chastised and mumbled an apology before going to the other side of the table to help Tess into her seat across from Ben. Max sat in the seat across from Liz. Tess tried to look appropriately annoyed but couldn't help the glint of amusement in her eyes when she glanced at Michael and Maria. Michael and Maria noticed the exchange with interest and seated themselves near the end of the table so they'd have a good vantage point of this little drama they'd set up for the rest of the evening.

As if the evening hadn't been disastrous enough already, it came time to order. The waitress walked to the table with a smile and a notepad. Not only did Max and Liz order the same thing. They ordered the same thing…at the same time. "Sweet and sour chicken with a side order of Tabasco sauce."

The waitress smiled her comment. "You two have done this before, haven't you?"

Max and Liz's heads snapped up and they looked at each other when they realized what they'd done, neither saying a word. "Tabasco sauce?" Ben asked as he turned to Liz breaking the silence between them. "Since when do you like Tabasco sauce?"

Liz opened her mouth to say something when Maria jumped in. "It's for me." She reached over and took Michael's hand in hers. "Actually, it's for Michael. He loves Tabasco sauce on anything and everything. Liz and I always order extra when we go out with Michael."

"But Liz hasn't seen Michael in years, right? So, how would she…"

"Habit." Max jumped in to ward off Ben's question the look in his eyes warning Ben to cease and desist with the questions. "You know, some habits are just too hard to break. You get used to things a certain way. It just comes naturally. Like ordering ketchup with fries. Tabasco sauce with Chinese…"

"Or sitting in a certain seat." Ben shot back.

Max's eyes flickered with emotion before he locked eyes with Ben and nodded slowly. "Exactly. Some things just feel right. It's hard to ignore when they do."

"Try harder next time." Ben replied in a low voice as he folded his arms on the table and leaned forward.

Seeing the tenseness that washed over Ben as he shot Max a steely look before possessively wrapping his arm around Liz's shoulder, Tess leaned in toward Max and grabbed his hand with a smile. "Darling, why don't you order for me. You know what I like." She cast a glance in Liz's direction. "Max and I always eat Chinese. It's our favorite, isn't it, dear? So many special times together…"

Max's gaze faltered from Liz's face when he saw the hurt that flashed in her eyes. Recognizing Tess' tactic, Max glanced at her and nodded once but said nothing. He couldn't say anything as anger and pain bubbled up within him. He knew if he opened his mouth the truth would come rushing out in a torrent and there would be absolutely nothing that could hold it back.

He'd tell her how this was the first time in all their years of knowing each other that he and Tess had ever eaten Chinese together. That Chinese food was sacred to him. That he never ordered it without thinking about her. He'd tell her how every jab and every insult was only a part Tess was playing. That she had tried to convince him only a little while before that he should give them another shot. And just how much he wanted to take a chance that they could be where they were before. But most of all he'd tell her he'd never stopped loving her. That he still dreamed of her. Still wanted her in his life. And that it was killing him inside to see her in the arms of another man when his heart screamed out that she belonged with him. Had always belonged with him. Would always belong with him.

Liz saw the possessive way Tess draped herself over Max and brought her eyes back to the menu. Blinking furiously to hold back the tears, Liz tried her best to focus on the words despite the fact she'd already ordered. There was no way she could go through with this. No way she could sit and watch him love someone else in such close proximity. It had been one thing back in high school when she would see them across the quad or on the other side of classroom together. It was a completely different thing to have their love flaunted before her so up close and personal. Especially not here.

For years this place had been a haven to her. When missing Max was too much to bear, she'd slip away for a meal or even just a cup of tea and a fortune cookie. She'd relive the moments they had spent in their own special restaurant back home in Roswell. Their first date. That special night when he rented out the place for just the two of them. The fortunes they read that night. Everything that happened after. It had been magical. Then again, every moment with Max had been magical. Even when they were hiding from the FBI.

She couldn't believe Maria had picked this place. Had she known this was where they were going, Liz would have had put her foot down. But she didn't know until Ben pulled into the parking lot. By then it was too late. She would have raised suspicions had she made a fuss. And raising suspicions was one thing she couldn't do tonight. Although truth be known, Liz had the distinct impression that she had Max had already failed miserably on that count.

Liz felt Ben's arm tighten around her and she glanced up at him. He gave her a sympathetic, encouraging smile. She smiled back faintly as gratitude and guilt washed over her. Ben. He'd always been there for her. In her most desperate hour. And every day since. Loving her and asking for nothing in return. She owed him so much more than she'd given him. She at least owed him the truth. All of it.

"Oh, and could you bring…" Maria glanced around the table taking in the number of Czechoslovakians in attendance. "…maybe 6 bottles of Tabasco sauce. I have a feeling things are going to get a little hot tonight."

The waitress nodded and moved away from the table and Maria leaned back in her seat, wrapping her arm around Michael's neck and taking in the scene before her. "Well. Isn't this fun?"

"Yeah. Like an FBI alien hunt." Tess quipped quietly in Max's ear.

Max's smile was faint as he looked down at the table. It disappeared the moment he heard Liz's faint voice wavering across the table when she saw the whispered exchange from Tess and Max's responding smile. "No."

Max's head shot up and he looked at Liz. His heart lurched in his chest and pain shot through his eyes the moment he saw the tears brightening hers. He swallowed hard as he watched her struggle to bring her emotions under control unable to do anything to stop the pain he saw so clearly in her eyes. Liz sat staring at the table in front of her, her hands were shaking and Ben turned to her lowering his voice. "Liz? Sweetie, are you ok?"

Liz shook her head slowly in answer to his question even though she hadn't heard a word he said. "No. I can't do this. I…I can't…" Her eyes raised slowly to meet Max's. "I'm sorry…I just...I'm sorry…"

Pushing her chair back suddenly, Liz jumped from her seat and rushed from the table as a quiet sob echoed through the room. Max and Ben both rose from their chairs simultaneously. Ben withered Max with his gaze till Max slowly sat down, swallowing the lump that rose in his throat. " I'll check on Liz." Ben stated before he turned and followed Liz.

Maria jumped from her seat, but Michael put a restraining arm around her waist. "Where are you going?"

"To talk to her. Ben's not going to be able to help her with this…" Maria stated before side-stepping Michael's arm and following Ben.

Max's jaw worked furiously as he tried to control the anger and frustration that was shooting through him. He couldn't believe it. They'd only been together 15 minutes and he'd already managed to cause her pain…again. Then again, maybe he could believe it. He'd been in pain every second of every day since leaving her. What made him think seeing him again after all this time wouldn't have the same effect on Liz? His eyes shot over to Michael and the anger he felt at himself suddenly transferred to another.

Max tossed his napkin on the table, pushed his chair back and shot out of his seat heading directly for Michael. Michael's eyes widened when Max bent and yanked him from his seat pulling him up till they were eye to eye. "How could you, Michael? Huh? Tell me! How the hell could you hurt her like this…"

Silent blue eyes began to twinkle from half a room away as they took in the scene playing out before him. An evil smile formed on his lips. He'd planned on wreaking a little havoc in their lives tonight, but from the looks of it, they were doing just fine on their own. Maybe he wouldn't have to do much more than wait for the right moment. That one perfect moment when they were ready to face the truth…